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What Is Stress?
Stress can be mental or emotional. It can make you feel anxious, worried, and fearful. Stress can also be chemical. In fact, many Americans try to counter the chemical effects of stress by taking more chemicals, such as drugs or alcohol.
Stress is rooted in three main areas: the environment, the body, and emotions. Environmental stress can be caused by weather, time constraints, noise, and demands at work. Physical stress can be brought about by factors like malnutrition, lack of sleep, and illness. Emotional stress can come from multiple sources and can be triggered by stressors like the breakup of a significant relationship, arguments, death of a friend or family member, and criticism.
These responses take their toll on physical health. Stress triggers an increase in the release of cortisol, a hormone that triggers the fight-or-flight response. During periods of stress, the nervous system is activated, the heart rate increases, blood pressure increases, and blood is funneled to the brain, ears, and eyes. Over time, chronic stress can cause digestive problems, panic attacks, weight gain, sleep disorders, and irritability.
How Can Chiropractic Care Reduce Stress?
Studies show that chiropractic care can be effective at relieving stress. Much of the work that a chiropractor does is with the spine, the root of the nervous system. Because stress often triggers symptoms in the nervous system, spinal manipulation or adjustments can help restore balance to the nervous system and hormonal system.
Stress causes an imbalance of bodily symptoms due to excessive stimulation, which increases wear and tear on the body. Research suggests that up to 80 percent of all illness is related to stress, which starts with minor symptoms such as backache, headache, and fatigue. To put it simply, chiropractic adjustments to the spine, as well as other muscles and joints, may help tell the nervous system to relax and cause the stress response to fade.
From addressing physical pain caused by stress to providing helpful techniques to cope with stress, chiropractic care can be part of a regimen to help overcome stress for people of all ages. Contact our office today to schedule a stress management consultation.